"I really want to make The Count worthy as being Arrow's adversary," he told TV Guide. "[My character] has a physical presence that can rival anyone."

Gabel explained that his take on the role was somewhat inspired by Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning turn as the Joker in 2008 Batman movie The Dark Knight.

"[Exec producers] Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg had initially pitched the character as a Joker type," he confirmed. "I was intimidated... because I didn't want to live up to anything that Heath Ledger had done.

"But at the same time, I was really excited to come up with my own version of that intensity and intimacy with violence."